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The first batch of 2,500 US Marines to be deployed in Australia began work on Wednesday as Washington bolsters its presence in the Asia-Pacific to "seek a balance of power with China".

Some 200 Marines touched down in tropical Darwin overnight as part of an enhanced defense cooperation outlined during a visit by US President Barack Obama in November.

The troops are in the Northern Territory on a six-month rotational basis and will be based at Robertson Barracks on the outskirts of the city, building to some 2,500 by 2016-2017.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry had no response to the troop deployment as of press time on Wednesday. But ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said earlier that against the backdrop of a sluggish global economy and an international consensus and focus on promoting development, it is worth debating whether strengthening and expanding the US-Australia military alliance is appropriate and consistent with the common aspirations of countries in the region and the international community.

Geng Yansheng, spokesman for the Defense Ministry, in late November criticized the US' strengthened military pact with Australia, calling it a figment of "Cold War mentality" that will destabilize the Asia-Pacific region.

"Military alliances were created by history. We think that all moves to strengthen and expand military alliances are a product of a Cold War mentality that runs counter to the trend of peace, development and cooperation," Geng said.

In a joint statement, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Defense Minister Stephen Smith and Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson welcomed what they said was the latest chapter in a more than 60-year alliance with the US.

The US military currently has only a limited deployment in long-standing ally Australia, including the Pine Gap Joint Defense Facility spy station near Alice Springs.

Questions:

1. How many Marines will be deployed in total?

2. How many Marines arrived in the first batch?

3. What city did they arrive in?

Answers:

1. 2,500.

2. 200.

3. Darwin.

（中國日報網英語點津 Helen 編輯）

About the broadcaster:

Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.